Liv watched the Colonel leave before she picked up her phone
and dialed a number. She spun her chair around, facing the large window behind
her and opened the blinds.

The phone was picked up on the third ring and a husky male voice
greeted, “Brigadier General Wright, here.”

A smirk formed upon Liv's face, “General Wright, it's-”

“Liv!” he recognized the caller's voice and stated, “It's been
a while. How's everything going?”

“Sam, just fine.”

ON A C-130 HERCULES (CARGO PLANE)

Sam and Daniel were strapped into the side seats in the cargo
area. Sam was enjoying her apple and thumbing through a magazine. “So, Dad…”

Daniel was lightly napping, until he heard his daughter's voice.
“Yes, Sweetheart?”

“What's your thoughts on Liv?”

“She's a exceptional young woman…very bright.”

Sam whispered, “not to mention, fine-looking.”

He opened his eyes at the tiny comment and spoke up, “So, my
little girl likes them in uniform. Humm…well, at least she's a General.”

Sam punches him in the shoulder and whined, “Daddy!”

“Liv's a nice,” he expressed and whispered, “Is she family?”

Sam blushed at this ancient phrase, “I believe so.”

“Well, chance makes good bed fellows.”

“Dad!”

ELYSIAN FIELDS INN

I threw my ruck over my shoulder as I opened the door and stepped
into the office.

“DING-A-LING!” the sound of the tiny bell overhead.

Glancing up at the bell as I entered the tiny office.

“What can I do for you?”

I turned toward the voice that came from behind the desk.

A burly, dark haired woman had her feet on the desk. She was
leaning back in her chair, watching TV. She picked up the remote and turned
the volume down.

I looked back and noticed a fifteen-inch color TV in the corner.
Some kind of talk show was showing a couple arguing. Then they erupted in a
slugfest. Crap…TV. “I need a room,” I replied, feeling this woman's eyes
upon my body and I cringed. “Malachi sent me-”

“What's that hoe doin' anyway?” she grumbled under breathe,
“I'm tryin' to make a livin' here.” She pulled out a ledger, a pen and placed
them in front of the Stranger. “It'll be five bucks a day,” she said. “Just
sign in.”

I signed in, pulling out my wallet and pulled out a ten. “Here,
you go…” I stated, “Two days.”

“Thanks, Miss Rineheart…” she took it and placed into a small
box. The woman reached behind her and grabbed a key labeled # 7. “Room 7, you
have cable, a phone and a king size bed,” she informed, “If you need anything
just call me. My name's Kelly.”

“Taylor,” I revealed, taking the key. “Thanks, Kelly.”

“Your welcome,” she grinned, “It's on your right.”

I stepped outside and followed her directions to my room. Reaching
my door, I unlocked it and entered the decent size room. I tossed my ruck on
the bed and bee lined it to the restroom. After finishing my business, I flipped
the TV on and sat down on the bed. I pulled out my cell, dialing my home number
and checked my messages.

The automated voice said, “You have 1 message.”

I pulled out a pin from my jacket and address book form ruck.

A male voice spoke up, “Miss Rineheart, my condolences…Mike
was the best pilot I've flown with and a good friend. Anyway, I have some info
you might like hear. My name is Kevin and my number is -”

I hurriedly copied the number down and dialed the number. The
phone rang twice and on the third it was picked up.

The same voice from the message answered, “Hello?”

“Kevin?” I asked, “You left a message on my machine.”

“Miss Rineheart,” he stated, “I'm sorry to hear about Mike's
death. We worked together on some missions together. Until my recent transfer
to Nellis.”

“Thanks,” I responded and inquired, “You said you had some information?”

“Yes, I do…” he stated, “But not on the phone. So, where are
you staying?”

How would he know- “How do-”

“Because, if it was my brother…I'd sure as hell be here.”

I chucked a bit and answered, “I'm at the Elysian Fields on
highway 15.”

“I'll pick you up in 10 minutes,” he said, “I know a café that's
nearby.”

“Sure,” my stomach growled, “That would be nice. I'll see you
in a few.”

“Alright, later…”

I hung my phone up, placing it back its case and stretched out
on the bed. I've got some time…

NELLIS AFB

The large cargo plane's tail section was in an upright position
locked and ready for it's cargo to be unloaded. Airmen were unloading the equipment
and finally the trucks. Lt. Devin was escorting the Doctors towards the greeting
area.

Sam placed her round-rimmed sunglasses on, observing the airstrip
and then her gaze went to the gorgeous blue sky above.

Daniel nudged her, “Liv's here.”

Sam instantly turned as her eyes made contact with ones of brown.
Her smile grew bigger as her face lit up. “Hello, Liv.”

“Sam…always a pleasure to see you again,” she enlightened, flashing
her a grin. “Daniel…how was your trip?”

“Oh, it was okay….” he shrugged, “It's lacking in the entertainment
area, thou.”

Liv chuckled, ushering them to the car and responded, “I know…”
lowering her voice an octavo; “Uncle Sam doesn't like it when we're having too
much fun.”

Sam whispered, “That's too bad.”

“The good thing is that we have Vagas,” Liv decreed.

“Oooo…gambling, the lights…”

“Chaos…” Daniel grumbled.

Sam raised a brow, “Dad, I thought-”

“Booze induced Gamblers, cheap acts and Showgirls-” he flatly
stated, “Well, Showgirls might be nice to see.” A grin formed upon his otherwise
serious face.

“DAD!”

He abruptly spoke up, “Maybe you and Liv-”

“Dad…” Sam whined as a blush overcame her.

Liv noticed this and inquired, “Sam, I would be honored if I
could escort you on a night of fun and excitement.”

“I'd like that…”

“It's settled then, we have a date.”

FRANCES' CAFÉ

I glanced up from my menu and stared over at Kevin. He's about
Mike's height, a bit more muscular; dark shaved hair, tanned and had deep brown
eyes. I look back at my menu and found what I wanted.

A waitress approached us and greeted, “What can I get you two?”

“After you, Miss Rineheart.”

“I'll take the # 2, French fries, a Dr. Pepper and a glass of
water.”

“Okay,” she nodded, turning to Kevin. “And you?”

“I want the # 4, French fries and a glass of water.”

She jotted it down, gathering the menus with her. “Alright then,
I'll bring your drinks to you right away.” She scurried off and to fetch our
drinks and place the order.

“I still can't believe that you're from the same gene pool as
Mike,” he flirted, “He showed me a pic of you and my jaw dropped.”

“Thanks…” I grinned, changing the subject. “So, how long have
you known my brother?”

“About 2 years now,” he replied, “I met him through one my many
missions.”

“What kind of missions?”

“Oh, Black OPS…he would transport us to our next objective.”

“Is that what he was doing-”

Kevin shook his head, no. “He called me before he left, about
his visit to Nellis. We were going to hang out in Vegas this weekend.”

“He called you?”

“Yes, he told me that he had to transport a Lt. Colonel.”

“West.”

“Yeah, that's him.”

“Do you know anything about him?”

“A bit,” he shrugged, “He's an Officer through and through…but
there's something about him that makes you not want to trust him.”

“Really?” I inquired, “What's his MOS at Nellis?”

The waitress brought back their drinks and continued on her
rounds.

“He's a Black OPS Commander on the base. His main position is
the head of security for Area 51.”

I raised a brow, “Area 51?”

Kevin took a quick sip, lowering his voice. “It's true…the Government
keeps all kinds of weird stuff there.”

“What do you mean?”

He looked around the room, “I was on patrol about month ago.
When I heard what sounded like a scream, I though it was person but I was told
later that it was Alien.”

“An Alien?”

“I didn't believe it at first either,” he stated, “Until I was
a patrolling the underground labs and I heard it again. Taylor, it seemed to
be in some kind of pain.”

I just stared at him, observing his demeanor. He seemed to
be telling me the truth. “In pain?”

Kevin leaned closer to her, “So, I went to check it out and
found them moving it from one lab to another.”

“So, you saw this creature?” I asked, taking a drink.

He nodded, “The scientists were pushing its cage…the thing was
on its knees in pain. It seemed to be holding its side. The creature glanced
up at me and tried to lunge for me, but the bars kept it in. Then I noticed
West following in tow towards the new room. He held out some kind of device
and activated it. The creature shrieked, shaking uncontrollably and fell to
the ground. I ducked back around the corner and prayed that no one noticed me.”

The Waitress came back with their food, placing them on the
table. “There you go…do you guys need anything else?”

I shook my head, no.

“No thank you,” Kevin responded.

The waitress moved to the next table, leaving them to their
dinners.

“Kevin, I have one question…”

“Shoot.”

“Do you do drugs?”

His eyes widen at the question and abruptly answered, “NO…I
don't even take aspirin. I know this sounds crazy…but it's the truth.”

“I just want to make sure,” I explained and continued, “You're
telling me that the Government is really keeping Aliens and doing weird experiments.
What do you expect me to say? This sounds like something from the Sci- Fi channel.”